Governor honors C Lazy J ranch

Craig and Connie French of C Lazy J Ranch, a ranch south of Malta, were honored for their innovative approach to ranching by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, and Montana First Lady Susan Gianforte, on Thursday, June 24.

The couple won the 2020 Montana Leopold Conservation Award. A yearly award given to one ranch in Montana in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold.

"Craig and Connie French are incredible stewards of their land and it is terrific that they have been recognized for conservation," Governor Gianforte told the PC News. "There was a real broad range of folks there today to recognize what they have done and honestly, it is our farmers and ranchers that are the stewards of the land and without them, we wouldn't have the resources that we do, so my hats off to them."

Several entities from around the state gathered to see the innovations at the C Lazy J, as well as an impromptu Q and A with Governor Gianforte. Those groups included the Phillips Conservation District, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and local farmers and ranchers. The 2019 winner Bill Milton of Milton Ranch in Roundup, Mont. was also present.